This bone spindle whorl and spindle were found
together with the
pyxis and the
knife and was likely buried together
at some time.

A spindle whorl and spindle are known to have existed going back to the
Neolithic age and was used during the process of making thread from wool,
hemp, yarn etc. The spindle would spin around with a weight (spindle
whorl) which would then create the thread during the process.

On this example the organic spindle whorl and
the spindle are in excellent shape considering their age. The
spindle whorl was clearly carved on a lathe and has a hole drilled out of
the center to allow the post to stay in place. There is a concentric
circle carved in to provide some decoration.

The spindle has an
expanded section which stops the spindle whorl from falling off during the
thread making process. This example also has a barbed end to it which was
likely used somehow assisting in the process of making the thread. No
other examples with a barbed end have been found.

This is a rare
complete example/set in an organic material that has survived for nearly
2000 years.

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**Note on background.
Close up view of the wall of the Colosseum of Pula, Croatia.
Picture taken2014